Bulldogs set for upgrade

PHASE three of the plans involves building a new pavilion which would be hired out to community groups

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LARGE-SCALE improvement plans are under way after Fitton Hill Bulldogs secured a long-term lease for their ground.

Fitton Hill Bulldogs ARLFC hope to raise £10,000 to fund the initial cost of upgrading their pitches adjacent to Rosary Road.

But grand plans for the expansion of the club will see them invest in a junior Bulldogs Pups academy, a new cricket club, junior football team and wheelchair sports.

In December the club, which plays in Division Three of the North West Men's League, secured a 25-year lease for the fields from Oldham Council.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of letting the 9.44 acres of land "for the benefit of all within the local community".

Chairman John Hughes said: "Fitton Hill Bulldogs have been given an area to transform into a permanent home ground. We are now in full swing pulling together quotes and planning drawings for our new ground.

"Turning a field of grass into playable pitches costs money, a lot of money, which is why we are hoping to raise some funds to get us started on our journey.

"Our initial plan to get the ball rolling is to clean up the area and make it a playable pitch for our team." He added: "We hope we can reach our goals with the help of many generous donors. Please support us and help us build something that will make a difference."

So far £600 has been raised of the target £10,000, which will cover phase one of the plans - bringing one rugby pitch into use and installing changing rooms in converted shipping containers.

The first step was to cut the grass at the site which has gone largely unmaintained while the club awaited confirmation of their lease. Next the pitches must be drained and dug up in order to have a new drainage system installed.

Changing and cleaning storage rooms with electricity and plumbing supplies will also be built for players.

Future plans also include building a Bulldogs pavilion which will become a community hub, available for other groups and residents to hire out.

Mr Hughes said: "Once the rugby club is established back on Fitton Hill we can then look at expanding and hiring out our venue to suitable junior football and cricket clubs and even, we hope, to a wheelchair rugby team if we can identify a suitable artificial outdoor pitch."

He added: "Our plans will have a massive impact on Fitton Hill and surrounding areas by allowing us to increase the size of our junior Pups academy and help to kickstart new sports clubs for the future."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fhbulldogs.